“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven; a time to be born, and a time to die…” -Ecclesiastes 3:1 (KJV)
Plainfield, the oldest community in Will County, established its cemetery on a stretch of green between US Rt. 30 and IL Rt. 59 in 1835 as an inexpensive burial ground for residents. The first inscription noted in the Cemetery Logbook was made June 19, 1837. Many of Plainfield’s pioneering families are buried in this still peaceful setting.
People of historic interest buried in the Township Cemetery are Jesse Walker, an itinerant Methodist preacher who came in the early 1800s; and James Walker, who settled here and gave the first name of Walker’s Grove to the area. It would later be changed to Plainfield. Among the first four families who settled in 1830, Reuben and Betsy Flagg welcomed the first non-native child born in Will County, daughter Samantha.
Eddie Gardner, pioneering aviator with the Air Mail system is buried here as is George Pierce, a retired Chicago Cub pitcher. Rev. Bertram Dickens, nephew of famed British author Charles Dickens rests here. Veterans of six wars: War of 1812, Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I and II, and Vietnam are buried here. A number of unique tombstones are found to be of interest to many visitors.
Click here for information on gravestones in the cemetery
Click here for the Cemetery Section Map
For information regarding Cemetery maintenance or plots contact Sexton Ken Carroll at 815.436.4350 or cemetery@plainfield-township.com.